Local rider Ward has strong showing
11/4/2009 9:52 PM
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer
Leave it to the three devils - Peter Pan, Pickles and Next Dance.
Paradise Farm's Lellie Ward had a strong showing at the Kentucky Classique Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park on Aug. 28-30. Ward won the 2008 United States Eventing Association National Master Training Rider award while competing the three Thoroughbred geldings.
It was the second time Ward had competed in Kentucky in 2009, and she learned from her previous experience to leave a day earlier.
"I had a magic weekend in Kentucky," said Ward. "I felt my horses didn't arrive well on the first trip; they were hot, tired and drawn up. I chose not to work the horses the day before the competition. I thought everything had gone so well in training that I trusted my horses. I thought everything was going to be fine, and I was all set up and organized. So I let them have a day off."
The results didn't go the way Ward had expected on the first trip, and their performance was a prime example that anything can happen at anytime. Even though she and the horses were prepared for the competition, giving them the day off was not the answer, she said.
One of the reasons Ward, a Rolex Kentucky Three-day Event 4-Star CCI veteran, likes to compete in Kentucky is that it gives her an opportunity to give her horses exposure to the Kentucky Horse Park; if she qualifies one of the horses for Rolex Kentucky, they'll have an idea of what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and the busy activity.
"Even though they're not competing at a top level yet, I like them to be exposed to the venues," said Ward. "The horses have gotten to such a level now they're ready to go on the road and compete where the big boys are going to go."
The second trip was far more favorable; Ward left a day early and let the horses settle in.
"We actually got there early enough to have a nap, a complete luxury," said Ward. "The day before the competition, I was able to ride the horses twice and get everything done. We were incredibly prepared."
The three horses had outstanding dressage scores. The horses' results were all that Ward needed to make the decision to modify her approach toward showing in Kentucky - she will now leave a day and a half early to let her horses get settled in.
"I've always done that at three-day events," said Ward. "The horses are starting to get real sharp, and they know their game. They're very smart. Being able to manage stress and to relax plays a huge role for both the rider and the horses."
Ward rides three hoses in the same division, and they placed first, third and sixth.
"Pickles had an uncharacteristic four time penalties on the cross country," said Ward. "Peter Pan was the fastest horse and ended up third. He's qualified to go intermediate only after four events. He's only 6 years old, so I'm going to wait until next year. He's qualified to move up to the international division. I've had a great season. ... If it wasn't for those four time penalties, I would have been first, second and third; it's a weekend I will hold on to."
"It's a thrill to be able to ride a straight line and go up against the clock," Ward added. "To have the horses get the low scores in the dressage is very exciting. Whatever they end up doing, the quality of their work and the progression mean more than any result at a horse show."
Ward also had high praise for the eventing venue at the Kentucky Horse Park. She was impressed with the footing and the stabling, which were both excellent, she said.
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.
11/4/2009 9:52 PM
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer
Leave it to the three devils - Peter Pan, Pickles and Next Dance.
Paradise Farm's Lellie Ward had a strong showing at the Kentucky Classique Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park on Aug. 28-30. Ward won the 2008 United States Eventing Association National Master Training Rider award while competing the three Thoroughbred geldings.
It was the second time Ward had competed in Kentucky in 2009, and she learned from her previous experience to leave a day earlier.
"I had a magic weekend in Kentucky," said Ward. "I felt my horses didn't arrive well on the first trip; they were hot, tired and drawn up. I chose not to work the horses the day before the competition. I thought everything had gone so well in training that I trusted my horses. I thought everything was going to be fine, and I was all set up and organized. So I let them have a day off."
The results didn't go the way Ward had expected on the first trip, and their performance was a prime example that anything can happen at anytime. Even though she and the horses were prepared for the competition, giving them the day off was not the answer, she said.
One of the reasons Ward, a Rolex Kentucky Three-day Event 4-Star CCI veteran, likes to compete in Kentucky is that it gives her an opportunity to give her horses exposure to the Kentucky Horse Park; if she qualifies one of the horses for Rolex Kentucky, they'll have an idea of what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and the busy activity.
"Even though they're not competing at a top level yet, I like them to be exposed to the venues," said Ward. "The horses have gotten to such a level now they're ready to go on the road and compete where the big boys are going to go."
The second trip was far more favorable; Ward left a day early and let the horses settle in.
"We actually got there early enough to have a nap, a complete luxury," said Ward. "The day before the competition, I was able to ride the horses twice and get everything done. We were incredibly prepared."
The three horses had outstanding dressage scores. The horses' results were all that Ward needed to make the decision to modify her approach toward showing in Kentucky - she will now leave a day and a half early to let her horses get settled in.
"I've always done that at three-day events," said Ward. "The horses are starting to get real sharp, and they know their game. They're very smart. Being able to manage stress and to relax plays a huge role for both the rider and the horses."
Ward rides three hoses in the same division, and they placed first, third and sixth.
"Pickles had an uncharacteristic four time penalties on the cross country," said Ward. "Peter Pan was the fastest horse and ended up third. He's qualified to go intermediate only after four events. He's only 6 years old, so I'm going to wait until next year. He's qualified to move up to the international division. I've had a great season. ... If it wasn't for those four time penalties, I would have been first, second and third; it's a weekend I will hold on to."
"It's a thrill to be able to ride a straight line and go up against the clock," Ward added. "To have the horses get the low scores in the dressage is very exciting. Whatever they end up doing, the quality of their work and the progression mean more than any result at a horse show."
Ward also had high praise for the eventing venue at the Kentucky Horse Park. She was impressed with the footing and the stabling, which were both excellent, she said.
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.
copyright 2008 Aiken Standard, All Rights Reserved.